James Bond tribute (and possible ‘Skyfall’ snub) set for Oscar night

Yahoo! Movies Oscars Blog

Meriah DotyJanuary 4, 2013

'Dr. No' (1962), starring Sean Connery, was the first Bond movie

James Bond films typically don't get Academy Awards. The 23 films about 007 that have played in theaters over the past 50 years have earned less than ten total nominations -- roughly half of which were in music categories. Bond has only taken home two Oscars total, in technical categories. ("Goldfinger" won for sound effects and "Thunderball" earned a visual effects statuette).

That's it.

On the heels of critical and box office success, "Skyfall" is thought to be a strong contender for a Best Picture nod, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Javier Bardem) and a shoo-in to win a Best Original Song trophy for its theme song by Adele (the aptly named "Skyfall" tune nabbed the film's only Golden Globe nomination). This leaves prognosticators and fans alike thinking and hoping this could be the year the Academy gives more overdue recognition to the series that has now been around a half century.

Less than a week before Oscar nominations are announced, that recognition has been guaranteed... sort of. This year's Oscar show will feature a special 50th anniversary tribute to Bond, the Academy announced on Friday. Details on the specifics of the tribute aren't being shared. And it is unclear whether all six Bond actors -- including the reclusive Sean Connery, now 81 years old and the original celluloid Bond -- will be there.

Surprises are thought to be in store during the segment that is being billed as a retrospective, though the chances of an award finding its way into the mix is highly unlikely. A Connery appearance would count as a pleasant surprise seeing as the actor doesn't get out much these days and didn't appear in a recent Bond anniversary documentary. It might also be unexpected if lesser-known Bond actor George Lazenby -- who only played the super spy once in 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" -- showed up on stage with the other Bond actors Connery, Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton.

The Oscar Bond tribute does seem to give the Academy an out in the event it neglects to give "Skyfall" multiple nods during the January 10 nominations announcement. Seeing as the Sam Mendes film starring Craig has just one Globe nom to its name, and the fact that the series has an overall weak Oscar history, the threat of a significant "Skyfall" snub is unfortunately real.